Corrie star Jane Danson confirmed amongst headliners at Rochdale’s festival feast

Coronation Street star Jane Danson will be amongst the headline shows at this autumn’s Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival.

The 35 year old actress, best known for playing Leanne Battersby in the ITV1 soap will be hosting a workshop at the festival in October, showing budding young actors and actresses how to develop their acting skills, along with techniques and tips for performing on stage and screen.  For those who manage to get a ticket, it promises to be a real masterclass - Jane won a coveted British Soap Award in 2011 for ‘Best Dramatic Performance’. 

She’ll also be talking candidly about her life and television career at the arts extravaganza  during a live interview.

In Coronation Street, her controversial Battersby family were dubbed the ‘neighbours from hell’ and made an immediate impact on the long-running show's loyal audience. Danson has been centre stage in a series of harrowing and dramatic storylines ever since!

Aside from the Street, her other television credits include Children's Ward, The Grand, and The Bill.  She’s also an accomplished theatre actress.

Jane Danson will be appearing on Saturday 25 October.

Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival runs from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October, with a range of events covering drama, comedy, dance, music, theatre, films, visual arts and children’s shows. 

Jane joins the line up alongside the previously announced singer/songwriter Lucy Spraggan, comedian Dave Spikey, DJ Liz Kershaw, television presenter Bill Turnbull, author Chrissie Manby, poet Ian McMillan, writer Jackie Kay and performance poet Longfella. 

Tickets are available from www.rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk or in person at the festival box office at Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside.

The festival will include guest speakers, authors, writers and local arts organisations and is aimed at encouraging more people to engage in reading and philosophy. It will include events at venues in Rochdale town centre and boroughwide, aimed at all ages.

It’s all due to the generosity of Annie and Frank Maskew, a Rochdale couple who shared a passion for reading and thinking, and originally met in Rochdale Library. They left a sum of money to be used on resources and events related to literature and philosophy to ensure classic works are available for future generations.

For festival updates on Twitter connect with @RochdaleLitFest

The festival is organised by Rochdale Borough Council, funded by the Maskew Bequest.